Business Resources

International Business

Establish a Strong Foothold in the U.S.

Seeking to do business in the United States? Few places offer more welcoming amenities than Howard County. The Maryland Global Gateway Soft Landing Program at our Maryland Innovation Center (MIC) is strategically positioned in Columbia, MD, offering centralized access to major metropolitan areas such as Baltimore and Washington, D.C., as well as prominent national agencies like the National Institute of Health (NIH) and NASA. MIC facilitates international business operations with scalable offices, conference rooms, front desk assistance, on-site management and dedicated mailboxes — resulting in an ideal launching ground for  U.S.-based operations.

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Building Confidence for FDI

Looking for a low-commitment avenue to explore the immense market potential within the No. 4 most consolidated market in the United States? With its access to major cities like Baltimore, Washington D.C., New York and location between the global hubs of London and Los Angeles, the Maryland Global Gateway Soft Landing Program at our Maryland Innovation Center allows participants to tap into a diverse and vibrant business ecosystem. The program is home to scalable offices and conference rooms for teams of all sizes, along with business counseling services for acquiring talent, visas and permits, and plugging into a community of local and regional partners like Howard Community College and the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO).

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Infrastructure That Connects Global Offices

Howard County is strategically positioned as a globally connected region with convenient access to two top-rated airports. Furthermore, the county benefits from a robust transportation network that includes rail connections and proximity to the Port of Baltimore, located just 21 miles away. The Port of Baltimore, renowned as one of the busiest cargo ports in the United States, boasts five public and twelve private terminals, enhancing Howard County’s accessibility to international markets.

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A Great Place to Live and Do Business

Hang your hat on an inclusive community — where one out of every 6.5 state residents hail from overseas. In Howard County, the minority population has experienced a remarkable 30% growth since 2010, national averages. Over a third of the county’s population increase stemmed from international migration between 2010 and 2017, underlining its international appeal. Our Maryland Innovation Lab further fosters diversity by creating synergy between international companies and entrepreneurs and U.S.-bred firms, facilitating 10-week intensive collaborations between businesses working in the same industries and promoting innovation and cross-cultural exchange.

Bob Zhang